October 2011
Certainly a better month than the last as winter visitors began to arrive and there were also quite a few surprises, some yet to be confirmed. The first Whooper Swans (17 birds) returned to North Duffield Carrs on the 18th with 13 at Wheldrake Ings the following day when four flew over Heslington East, while 16 were at Wheldrake on the 23rd and 17 still at North Duffield on the 28th. Heslington East attracted a pair of Wigeon on the 23rd and 600 Eurasian Teal were estimated to be present at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th with eight at Fulford Ings on the 16th when a drake Ferruginous Duck was found at Castle Howard Lake but was not present next day; this bird probably accounted for a record of one at Pugney’s Country Park in West Yorkshire shortly afterwards where one has wintered in recent years. It is a shame that the Castle Howard bird did not linger but was quite a prize for those who managed to get there in time! Other notable duck records were few though the main lake at Heslington East held up to 11 Tufted Ducks with single immature Goldeneye and Goosander present from the 19th. A first-winter Great Crested Grebe was on the River Ouse at Fulford Ings on the 16th and a Little Egret at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th while a Great White Egret was reported flying west along the Pocklington Canal at Melbourne on the 24th. A single White Stork, which was first seen near Sherburn-in-Elmet on the 10th and then wandered westwards, was apparently an escaped bird from Lotherton Hall Gardens. There were few raptor reports but a Red Kite seen near Strensall on the 3rd was a surprise for its observer though more intriguing was belated news of a satellite-tagged Hen Harrier which had been tracked passing through the Lower Derwent Valley on the 21st. Single Peregrines were noted at Heslington East on the 13th, Poppleton and over York on the 20th and Poppleton again on the 25th with a single Water Rail seen from the Pool Hide at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th. There were some notable flocks of Golden Plover this month including 1,000+ in fields between Newton upon Derwent and Sutton upon Derwent and 400+ near High Catton, both on the 9th, while 60 Lapwings seen over Naburn Sewage Works on the 16th were probably the birds noted at Heslington East on the 13th when a Little Stint was also present. Other waders at Heslington East included a single Ruff on the 1st, a juvenile Greenshank from the 13th-25th, a Common Sandpiper on the 1st and single Green Sandpiper on the 12th with two there the day after. Meanwhile, a Woodcock was seen in a wood between Askham Bryan and Askham Richard on the 28th and an adult Ring-billed Gull reported to be present for five minutes at Heslington East on the 22nd before departing to the southwest. Up to three Yellow-legged Gulls were seen at the latter site at any one time throughout the month while 800+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls were estimated to be present in fields near Harewood whin on the 11th with three birds at Heslington East on the 20th. Most summer visitors had already moved on though two Swallows were still at Dunnington Common on the 10th with a first-winter bird seen at Heslington East on the 19th probably being the last. The latter site held at least 40 Meadow Pipits early in the month though at least one Rock Pipit seen and heard there on the 13th was of more interest. Up to three Grey Wagtails were reported from several sites while a late Wheatear was at Heslington East on the 13th. Fieldfares and Redwings were both first noted on the 8th, with most observers reporting birds as being ‘late in’ this year. The odd Blackcap and Chiffchaff continued to be seen though a Bearded Tit seen and heard in a maize field by the Pocklington Canal at Bielby on the 15th was a very good record. Marsh and Willow Tits were both present in mixed tit flocks at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th while good numbers of Siskin were feeding in alders along the River Derwent at Newton Mask on the 11th with several noted passing over Heslington East on the 19th. Ringing activity at Allerthorpe Common on the 28th produced two Mealy Redpolls among some 30 Lesser Redpolls trapped with a total of at least 20 of the latter moving over Heslington East on the 13th. A very good discovery, however, was a flock of 13 Twite at Full Sutton airfield on the 31st while up to 20 Crossbills were frequenting Allerthorpe Common late in the month. An unusual record concerned a juvenile Yellowhammer at St Nicholas Fields, York on the 26th which had apparently been present for about two weeks, with three Reed Buntings at Walmgate Stray, York on the 18th and a single Corn Bunting on waste ground at Heslington East on the 1st also being notable.

September 2011
September was fairly quiet as the lack of winds between the north and east prevented the arrival of any winter visitors and most summer visitors had departed early. Most interest was at Heslington East where a female/immature Garganey was seen on the 1st and 3rd and a Little Grebe present on the 15th. The only record of Little Egret was of an individual at Bank Island on the 11th while few interesting raptors were reported, highlights being a Red Kite over Foss Bridge, west of Healaugh on the 21st, probably at least five Marsh Harriers moving through the Lower Derwent Valley during the month, a possible passage of Common Buzzards throughout the recording area and single Hobbies seen at Poppleton on the 15th and North Duffield Carrs on the 19th. There was a good passage of waders, with a virtual monopoly at Heslington East where a juvenile Little Ringed Plover was present up to the 7th with up to two Common Ringed Plovers also being seen. A juvenile Little Stint graced this site from the 1st-5th when two juvenile Knots were seen briefly while a juvenile male Ruff lingered from the 15th and up to three Common Snipe were also noted. Up to two Greenshanks were present throughout the month as were up to three Common Sandpipers with two Green Sandpipers reported early on. Noteworthy records of gulls included up to two Yellow-legged Gulls at three sites, a third-winter Caspian Gull at Holme upon Spalding Moor (just outside the recording area) on the 5th and good numbers of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Meanwhile, there were several reports of Swifts till mid-month as the traditional pre-migratory build-up of hirundines was noted, particularly involving Swallows. At least six Meadow Pipits were noted at Heslington East on at least the 15th along with 20+ Yellow Wagtails on various dates with nine of the latter also seen in fields opposite Naburn Sewage Works on the 11th. Heslington East also attracted singles of Whinchat on the 6th and Stonechat on the 29th while a few of the commoner warblers were still in evidence with a noticeable passage at Allerthorpe Common on the 4th including 30 Chiffchaffs being ringed. As if Heslington East had not had enough of the action, two Ravens circled over the site on the 7th before drifting off in a southeasterly direction. Around 300 Goldfinches were also present on the 29th with several Siskin passing over on the 7th.

August 2011
Typically this month was again fairly quiet though some interesting species were recorded. A pair of Wigeon was present at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st, apparently having summered on the reserve, while 30 Eurasian Teal dropped into the pool there on the 15th where an eclipse drake Ring-necked Duck was reported on the 26th with two Tufted Ducks at Heslington East on the 30th. Several coveys of Grey Partridge were noted at Dunnington Common late in the month as well as two birds at Poppleton on the 25th while up to four Quail were still calling at a number of sites. Two Little Grebes were on the pool at Wheldrake on the 1st with at least five Little Egrets in the Lower Derwent Valley early on and two adults at Heslington East on the 12th where a juvenile was seen the following day and at least five Cormorants fishing there from the 5th. Raptor reports included at least one Marsh Harrier in the Lower Derwent Valley with another passing north over Hassacarr NR on the 31st as well as five Common Buzzards while Hobbies were noted at three sites with regular sightings at Dunnington Common late in the month, presumably coinciding with the build up of hirundines there, and a Peregrine was at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st. Waders attracted to Heslington East during the month included up to three Ringed Plovers and c. 60 Lapwings with a juvenile Little Stint on the 29th and 30th as well as Greenshank and Common Sandpiper on the latter date. Elsewhere, 200+ Golden Plovers flew northwest over St Nicholas Fields, York on the 27th with three Common Snipe noted at Wheldrake Ings on the 26th, a Woodcock at Wheldrake Wood on the 2nd, at least two Green Sandpipers seen at Wheldrake with another near Poppleton on the 23rd, single Common Sandpipers at both Clifton Ings and Rawcliffe Lake on the 15th and a juvenile Turnstone on the pool at Wheldrake on the 26th. A Little Owl was seen at Dunnington Common late in the month and at least three Tawny Owls were present at Wheldrake Wood on the 2nd while most Swifts had departed nesting sites in the recording area early on though there were some significant aggregations noted including 100+ over Clifton Ings on the 4th and c. 200 at Grimston Bar on the 12th. It was pleasing to receive several reports of Kingfisher considering the previous hard winter while a Green Woodpecker at Wheldrake Ings on the 1st was also notable. As already indicated, there was a good build up of hirundines this month as would be expected and a Tree Pipit was still feeding young at Strensall Common on the 3rd with a single bird seen briefly at Allerthorpe Common on the 23rd. Good numbers of Yellow Wagtails were also a feature with 38 counted in a field containing cattle near Redhouse Wood on the 20th, seven seen at Poppleton on the 25th and up to at least five birds at Heslington East during the month; a flock of 20 at East Cottingwith on the 21st also held a male Blue-headed Wagtail. A noticeable passage of warblers also took place this month with a Sedge Warbler still present at Poppleton on the 25th while 17 Chiffchaffs and 21 Willow Warblers were ringed at Allerthorpe Common on the 24th. A family party of Spotted Flycatchers was observed at Strensall Common on the 3rd with a single bird seen at Clifton Park on the 17th and Nuthatches were again recorded at Bishothorpe Palace though two birds trapped and ringed at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th was particularly noteworthy. At least 60 each of House and Tree Sparrow continued to frequent a garden in East Cottingwith while 100 Greenfinches were at Wheldrake Wood on the 2nd along with five Siskins. Small groups of Crossbills were still roving round Allerthorpe Common, though not the numbers there had been, and ten Yellowhammers were at Heslington East on the 31st.

July 2011
Generally a quiet period of the year, this month was at least better than the last! The injured Whooper Swan lingered at North Duffield Carrs but was very elusive as it frequented ditches on site and the only other notable wildfowl record concerned three pairs of Shelduck breeding at Elvington Waterworks. Quail were still being reported with one heard at Fir Tree Farm, Heslington on the 1st, at least two birds still calling near Holme upon Spalding Moor (just outside the recording area) on the 9th, three at South Duffield on the 10th with up to 40+ birds estimated to be in the Lower Derwent Valley as a whole and three at West Lilling on the 14th when one was also heard at Deighton and another at Langwith Lane, Heslington the following day. Fifteen Grey Partridges were noted at Holtby Lane in the 18th while nine Great Crested Grebes were at Elvington Waterworks on the 5th with the same number of Cormorants at Heslington East on the 31st. There was a run of records of Little Egret this month with one at Cawood on the 5th and up to four at Wheldrake Ings early in the month with at least one bird wandering around the Lower Derwent Valley thereafter. A female and juvenile Marsh Harrier flew northwest over South Bank, York on the 30th which may well have involved two birds seen at Wheldrake Ings the previous day while other raptor reports concerned family parties of Sparrowhawks at Hassacarr Nature Reserve from the 20th and York University from the 27th and two pairs of Common Buzzard bred in the Dunnington area. In addition, single Hobbies were seen at Dunnington Common on several dates and South Duffield on the 10th with ‘many’ reports from the Lower Derwent Valley while two Peregrines were soaring over Sherburn-in-Elmet on the 1st with one at Barmby Moor on the 17th. It was a fairly quiet month for waders with a few reports of Oystercatcher, a pair of Little Ringed Plovers at Elvington Waterworks with a single Ringed Plover there on the 5th and 80+ Lapwings seen at both Naburn Marina and Heslington East at the end of the month when a male Ruff was at the latter site where 20 Black-tailed Godwits paid a brief visit on the 16th. Three Green Sandpipers were at Heslington East at the start of the month when up to four were at Wheldrake Ings with a single bird at Elvington Waterworks on the 21st while two Common Sandpipers were at Heslington East early on with up to four at Elvington again on the 21st. Up to five Common Gulls were at Heslington East during the month where a subadult Yellow-legged Gull was photographed on the 11th with two there on the 31st and a single at Clifton Ings on the 8th while up to at least 40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted at the former site with two to three Common Terns seen at York Science Park on the 13th and the Naburn area on the 30th and 31st along with two at Wheldrake Ings on the 18th. Up to three Turtle Doves were still at Acaster Malbis while two Little Owls were at West Lilling on the 14th with one at the Acomb/Rufforth roundabout on the outskirts of York next day. A family party of Great Spotted Woodpeckers was noted at Dunnington Common on the 1st with a family of Yellow Wagtails at Cawood on the 5th. A Grasshopper Warbler was again heard reeling at Fulford Ings on the 28th with another at Bank Island on the 29th but there were few reports of other warblers while Spotted Flycatchers were noted at Askham Bog, Aughton church and Fulford. At least 50 Siskins were at Allerthorpe Common on the 15th along with ten Crossbills with over 50 of the latter at the same site by the end of the month. One to two Corn Buntings were at Cawood on the 5th with at least five at West Lilling on the 14th.

June 2011
June was an unsettled month following on from the dry spring but was also to become perhaps the quietest month of the year for bird records. A juvenile Goosander on the River Rye at West Ness indicated local breeding while there were a number of reports of Quail with four calling at Holme upon Spalding Moor (just outside the recording area) on the 1st and two still present on the 16th while singles were near Poppleton on the 8th, Allerthorpe Common on the 16th and Langwith Lane, Heslington on the 30th. A pair of Great Crested Grebes with three young was noted at Naburn Marina on the 11th and raptor records included a Red Kite at Castle Howard on the 12th, a female Marsh Harrier hunting at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th, a Hobby flying over Crockey Hill on the 17th with another at Wheldrake on the 27th and a juvenile Peregrine noted at East Cottingwith on the weekend of the 4th/5th and the 14th. Waders included Oystercatchers at Heslington East, Naburn Sewage Works and near Stamford Bridge, single Woodcocks passing over East Cottingwith on the 14th and roding at Allerthorpe Common the next day, a Greenshank at Wheldrake Ings on the 27th along with single Green and Common Sandpipers while two Green Sandpipers dropped into Heslington East on the 28th. A count of at least 20 Stock Doves near Stamford Bridge on the 4th was a good record while three Turtle Doves were again noted at Acaster Malbis on the 10th with single Kingfishers (seemingly scarce after the hard winter) recorded at three sites. Around 200 Sand Martins were counted at a site near Burythorpe on the 11th with 20 pairs noted at Heslington East while four Tree Pipits were evident at Yearsley Moor on the 12th. Breeding Yellow Wagtails were reported from four sites while reeling Grasshopper Warblers were at Yearsley Moor on the 12th, Lilling on the 24th and Wharfe Ings on the 30th with two Sedge Warblers singing at Fulford Ings on the 11th and a Reed Warbler on the small pond at Rawcliffe Meadows on the 21st. Spotted Flycatchers were noted at four sites (three in the north of the recording area) while the biggest surprise of the month, seen by one lucky observer, was a male Golden Oriole which appeared briefly along the Selby Canal at Burn Bridge on the 14th. At least 20 Tree Sparrows were counted in a BTO Atlas tetrad near Stamford Bridge on the 4th with c. 60 in a garden at East Cottingwith on the 14th along with a similar number of House Sparrows and 25+ Chaffinches. Eight Crossbills flew west over Castle Howard with an estimated total of c. 200 at Yearsley Moor on the 25th while Corn Buntings were noted from six separate sites including, rather unusually, Wheldrake Ings.

May 2011
May was also rather dry and settled with the pace of migration carrying on until mid-month when things quietened down somewhat. A single Egyptian Goose paid a visit to Heslington East on the 9th and two Shelducks were still present on the 1st. A drake Garganey was on the pool at Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd while perhaps the same female Pochard was reported from Heslington East on the 7th and Rowntree Park, York on the 13th. Four Grey Partridges were seen down Field Lane south of Heslington on the 7th with birds also noted in the Lilling area and a Quail was calling near Holme upon Spalding Moor (just outside the recording area) on the 17th with three at Lilling Bottom on the 27th. More unusual was a single Spoonbill discovered at Wheldrake Ings on the morning of the 21st which was joined by a second bird in the evening with just one bird present next day. Moving on to raptors, a Red Kite flew southwest over Scarcroft Road, York on the 4th with presumably the same bird seen in the South Bank area of the city on the 5th and 6th and another noted at Bank Island on the 11th. A female Marsh Harrier was observed hunting at Wheldrake Ings on the 10th and a subadult male Montagu’s Harrier reported flying north at Breighton Meadows on the 31st. Single Ospreys passed over Wheldrake Ings on the 15th and Castle Howard on the 31st while Hobbies were noted at four sites and a Peregrine flew over Clementhorpe, York on the 4th. Wader passage was prominent in the first half of the month, with Heslington East again doing particularly well: single Oystercatchers were regularly seen or heard between Fulford Ings and Naburn Sewage Works with another at Heslington East on the 23rd where a pair of Avocets present on the 19th was a very good record for the site. A Little Ringed Plover and 11 Ringed Plovers were noted at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th when a Little Stint was also seen with a Grey Plover at Heslington East on the same date. A single Dunlin at the latter site on the 6th had increased to five birds the following day with seven at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th and four still at Heslington East on the 9th. Two male Ruffs were at Bank Island on the 4th while a single Whimbrel appeared to drop in at Heslington East on the first with another passing south over Strensall on the 8th while a pair of Curlew was regularly noted in the Fulford Ings/Middlethorpe Ings area throughout the month. Single Common Redshanks were seen at Heslington East on three dates with single Greenshanks noted on four dates while one of the latter was at Bank Island from the 2nd-4th with three at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th and eight on the 6th and 7th. Up to five Wood Sandpipers were also noted at Wheldrake during the month with singles at both Bank Island and Heslington East as well as the odd Common Sandpiper. A pair of Herring Gulls lingered at the York University campus where a pair of Common Terns was present on the 3rd with a single at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th and two moving west at Heslington East on the 30th. Up to three Turtle Doves were present at Acaster Malbis from the 22nd where birds have been recorded over the past couple of years while three Cuckoos were along the Pocklington Canal on the 2nd with others noted at Skipwith Common on the 13th and the Fulford area of York on the 18th. Small numbers of Swifts were seen at a few sites at the beginning of the month before a small influx took place on the 6th with numbers building up thereafter including c. 50 at Walmgate Stray, York on the 30th. Good numbers of Sand Martin were breeding along the River Ouse in the York area while a Red-rumped Swallow was claimed passing through Bank Island on the 11th. Several Tree Pipits were back on territory at both Skipwith and Strensall commons with Yellow Wagtails noted at a number of sites while six Waxwings flew southwest over Fulford Road in York on the 3rd and up to 32 Wrens were singing in the Fulford area – a good number considering the harsh winter we’ve had. Single Wheatears were seen near Wheldrake on the 6th and at Heslington East on the 11th and 30th. There were also good numbers of Blackbirds noted with up to 52 birds (not counting juveniles) in the Fulford area. Warblers were well-represented this month with single Grasshopper Warblers reeling along the Pocklington Canal on the 2nd and at Fulford Ings on the 3rd with two there on the 9th and one still on the 14th. A Reed Warbler was singing along the Pocklington Canal on the 2nd when a Lesser Whitethroat was doing likewise in the Heslington area with two at Redhouse on the 3rd. Common Whitethroats had arrived in good numbers with 14 in the Fulford area on the 3rd and c. 20 along the Ouse between York and Naburn on the 9th.  A Garden Warbler was singing at Fulford Ings on the 6th with several birds noted at Heslington Tillmire next day while at least 20 Blackcaps were counted along the Ouse between York and Naburn on the 9th. A Wood Warbler singing in the churchyard at Heslington on the 2nd was a good record as was a male Pied Flycatcher seen at Strensall Common on the 1st. A pair of Nuthatches remained at Fulford Ings during the month where a Jay was seen on the 9th while a single Corn Bunting at Wheldrake Ings on the 8th was unusual with several pairs noted in the Lilling area.

April 2011
This month was dominated by high pressure resulting in exceptionally dry and warm conditions. However, the bird world was not quite so settled with spring migration gathering pace and perhaps the wader passage was one of the highlights. Most wintering wildfowl had already departed though five Pink-footed Geese winged their way over Wass on the 9th. The two Egyptian Geese were still at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd with just one remaining there by the 23rd. A pair of Shelduck held on at Heslington East until mid-month at least with four birds passing through on the 22nd. Over 100 Wigeon were still at Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd despite decreasing water levels while a drake Blue-winged Teal found on the Refuge there on the evening of the 18th would have been extremely popular had it not been so hard to see amongst the emergent vegetation; it was reported again briefly on the 21st but most would-be observers left disappointed. Three Eurasian Teal were noted at Heslington East on the 9th while a drake Pintail at Redhouse Reservoir on the 7th was a good record for the site with 25 Goosander present on the 3rd and six on the 7th. Three of the latter remained at Heslington East on the 5th with five females there on the 6th while the immature drake Goldeneye was last reported on the 9th. A pair of Great Crested Grebes was on the nest at York University Lake by the 20th with other birds noted at Naburn Marina on the 16th and on the River Ouse by the Millennium Bridge, York on the 27th while a Little Egret was seen briefly at North Duffield Carrs on the 2nd. It was another good month for raptors with a Red Kite seen at Askham Bryan on the 1st; a female Marsh Harrier high south over Holgate, York on the 24th; up to five Sparrowhawks along the Ouse between York and Naburn (including some display); single Ospreys passing over Wheldrake Ings on the 5th, Heslington East on the 20th and Hagg Bridge the following day; a female Merlin over East Cottingwith on the 9th; two Hobbies drifting north over Strensall Common on the 22nd with singles at Wheldrake Ings on the 22nd, passing through Heslington East on the 24th and over Rawcliffe on the 29th; a single Peregrine still at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th with interesting reports of two birds seen over Acomb on the 7th and 22nd. Wader-wise, at least three Oystercatchers were at Heslington East on the 6th with eight birds at East Cottingwith on the 9th and a pair at Naburn Sewage Works towards the end of the month. A Little Ringed Plover moved through Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd while Heslington East held a single Golden Plover from the 6th-10th and 18 Lapwings were counted at Heslington Tillmire on the 13th, though few were present at both Middlethorpe Ings and Naburn Sewage Works. A single Dunlin was at Heslington East on the 20th with four Ruff at Wheldrake Ings on the 7th as well as 38 Black-tailed Godwits. Seven Whimbrel flew north over Melbourne on the 15th while 20 birds came in to roost at Wheldrake on the 23rd. Heslington East regularly held the odd Common Redshank during the month with a single Greenshank also present on the 26th while two Wood Sandpipers were discovered there on the 23rd and remained on and off until the 26th. A single Green Sandpiper was seen in the company of these birds on the 24th and 25th, providing a good comparison, and two Common Sandpipers were on the main lake at the same site on the 16th with a single bird present on the 24th and 25th. Not many gulls were reported this month, as to be expected, though at least 40 Herring Gulls moved west over the Ouse south of York on the 8th while a pair which frequented York University Lake from the 13th showed signs of nesting. Two Arctic Terns were reported from Wheldrake Ings on the 23rd with an adult Common Tern seen at York University Lake on the 26th but a smart summer-plumaged Black Tern which lingered at Heslington East during the second part of the day on the 20th provided more interest. The first Cuckoo of the spring was noted at Strensall Common on the 14th and was soon followed by a few others at different sites including Redhouse and Sheriff Hutton. Single Barn Owls were seen at Fulford Golf Gourse on the 1st and Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd while the first Swift had returned to its nest site in Ampleforth by the 22nd with two over Holgate, York on the 30th. Numbers of Sand Martins built up this month with 200+ at Heslington East on the 13th being the highest count. Three Swallows were also seen at this site on the 5th with 20 birds there by the 26th but there were only three records of House Martin with birds at Wheldrake on the 4th, Heslington East on the 15th and Clifton Ings by the 21st. Tree Pipits were reported as having returned to breeding areas at both Wass and Yearsley moors by the 23rd while three were back at Strensall Common on the 25th. As well as waterbirds, Heslington East attracted a good passage of passerines this month with up to at least five Meadow Pipits, single Water Pipits on the 10th, 15th and 17th, up to 20 Yellow Wagtails, 11 White Wagtails and eight Wheatears. A single White Wagtail was also seen near Copmanthorpe on the 19th while the number of Waxwings reported had dropped significantly with ten at York District Hospital on the 4th (which presumably accounted for birds seen near the Nestle factory on the 19th), three in Heslington, also on the 4th and 12 at Rawcliffe Meadows on the 23rd. A singing male Redstart was in Ampleforth on the 9th with at least three singing at Byland Abbey on the 23rd while, apart from Heslington East, Wheatears were reported from several other sites in the recording area this month, making it a good one for passage of this species. The only record received for Fieldfare concerned two birds feeding in a field south of Bishopthorpe on the 8th while incoming warblers were very much to the fore and it was a particularly good spring for Grasshopper Warbler with reeling birds noted in several areas from the 14th. The first Sedge Warbler was noted at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th with two Reed Warblers in there by the 18th. A Lesser Whitethroat was at Heslington East on the 20th with others at Clifton Backies on the 22nd, Menthorpe on the 24th, Clifton Ings from the 25th-28th and Fulford Ings on the 27th. Common Whitethroats began to appear from the 18th with ten birds counted along the Ouse between York and Naburn on the 23rd, but the only Garden Warblers reported were singles at Menthorpe on the 24th and Strensall Common next day. Blackcap numbers increased with 18 birds counted along the Ouse between York and Naburn by the 8th while a showy Wood Warbler was singing at Yearsley Moor on the 25th. Numbers of Chiffchaff also built up with at least 20 birds at Allerthorpe Common by the 6th as well as six Willow Warblers while the latter was also reported from Wheldrake Ings on the 4th and Clifton Ings on the 7th with three at Fulford Ings on the 23rd. Two Marsh Tits were in Askham Bog on the 1st with another in Hagg Wood, Dunnington on the 22nd and a Willow Tit noted near Hoveringham on the 2nd. The hugely popular Great Grey Shrike was last reported from Skipwith Common on the 3rd when it or another was also seen at Strensall Common. Two Bramblings were still coming to garden feeders at Holgate, York at the start of the month with a notable ten birds there on the 4th and another still frequenting an Ampleforth garden on the 9th. Six Lesser Redpolls were by Rawcliffe Cornfield NR on the 4th and a flock of up to at least 100 Linnets was a noticeable feature at Heslington East throughout the month while the only record of Corn Bunting involved a single bird at Hagg Bridge on the 24th.

March 2011
March was a rather settled and dry month with signs of an early spring very welcome after the hard winter. It was definitely a bumper month for bird records which meant it has taken longer than usual to compile this report! Starting with wildfowl, there was a noticeable movement of Whooper Swans with at least 650 birds passing through the Lower Derwent Valley during the month. Pink-footed Geese were also on the move with sizeable counts in several places including up to 200 at Wheldrake Ings on the 4th where two Egyptian Geese remained. Three Shelducks were at York University’s Heslington East on the 13th, as this relatively new site began to attract an impressive array of birds. Good numbers of Wigeon were noted in the Lower Derwent Valley including thousands at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th. A pair of Gadwall flew over Heslington East on the 10th with a drake on the main lake there on the 21st and the site also attracted up to at least 12 Eurasian Teal. However, this was surpassed by the discovery of a drake Green-winged Teal amongst 60 of its commoner cousins at Newburgh Priory Lake on the 17th with the former remaining until the 29th. Counts of Pintail at Wheldrake Ings peaked at 103 on the 2nd while at least five different Pochards were seen at Heslington East during the month with a drake Tufted Duck also on the main lake there on the 13th. An immature drake Goldeneye lingered at the latter locality from the 4th at least and 21 of this species were counted at Wheldrake on the 2nd. Up to three female Goosanders also found the new lake at Heslington East to their liking with numbers of birds at Wheldrake Ings peaking at 37 on the 6th. Three Grey Partridges were noted at East Cottingwith on the 11th while Great Crested Grebes were returning to breeding sites with two pairs and a spare adult all involved in territorial disputes at York University Lake on the 21st; there then seemed to be some interchange of birds between this site and Heslington East and a pair was also at Wheldrake Ings on the 14th. Meanwhile, a summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe was viewable distantly form the Geoff Smith hide at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th. Moving on to raptors, single Red Kites were seen moving east at Bishopthorpe on the 19th and flying over Stutton on the 20th. Presumably the same female Marsh Harrier passed through Heslington East and Wheldrake Ings on the 10th with others seen at Skipwith Common on the 15th and moving north at Sherburn-in-Elmet on the 27th. Common Buzzards continued to do well while a Rough-legged Buzzard was reported passing north over Wheldrake Ings on the 21st where an Osprey also flew north on the 19th. A Merlin was seen chasing a Skylark at Bank Island on the 4th with single Peregrines noted at a few locations including Fulford Ings and Heslington East. A highlight of the month for many was the appearance of three Common Cranes in the Lower Derwent Valley on the 21st and presumably these birds may have accounted for subsequent sightings of one to two birds elsewhere. It was also a good month for waders with Oystercatchers noted at a number of sites including up to four birds at Heslington East where a Little Ringed Plover was noted from the 10th along with up to six Ringed Plovers. A Grey Plover was discovered at Thorganby Ings on the 6th amongst some 3,000 Golden Plover while Lapwings were worryingly in rather short supply. Counts of Dunlin at Thorganby Ings peaked at 130 on the 6th with up to five noted at Heslington East and at least 20 Ruff were at the former site on the 17th with two at Wheldrake the following day. Single Common Snipe were seen at Fulford Ings on the 5th and 26th as well as passing east over Holgate, York on the 25th with eight Woodcock flushed from a small area at Allerthorpe Common on the 4th. Numbers of Black-tailed Godwit built up to 45 birds at Wheldrake Ings by the 25th while a single Bar-tailed Godwit was at Thorganby Ings on the 7th. Small numbers of Curlew were noted displaying in breeding areas with single passage birds also seen at Heslington East where eight Common Redshanks were present on the 28th. A single Green Sandpiper remained at Middlethorpe Ings on the 5th with others moving through Skipwith Common on the 22nd and at Heslington East on the 29th. Gulls were also quite well represented with two adult Mediterranean Gulls in the roost at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th and 200+ Black-headed Gulls at Heslington East on the 18th along with 30+ Common Gulls. Around 300 Herring Gulls were counted at Harewood Whin on the 11th along with ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls with a pair of the latter at Heslington East on the 12th. A juvenile Iceland Gull was at the Wheldrake roost on the 5th with a juvenile Glaucous Gull seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 29th and two Great Black-backed Gulls at Heslington East on the 21st. There was only one report of Barn Owl – a single at North Duffield Carrs on the 13th – as this species seems to have been a major victim of the winter weather though a pair of Little Owls had survived in the Heslington area. A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flying over Thorganby Ings on the 8th caused one observer much excitement while Wood Larks began to return to their traditional breeding haunts. The first Sand Martins seen at Heslington East on the 17th, a Swallow at Elvington on the 22nd followed by single figures at a few other sites and, more unusually, the first House Martin at North Duffield village from the 23rd with another at Bishop Wood on the 27th. Heslington East started to attract passage pipits and wagtails this month with 20+ Pied Wagtails on the 12th being the most notable. Winter was still just round the corner perhaps, however, as Waxwings were still very much in evidence with the largest flock being 60+ at Selby on the 21st. Up to 60 Fieldfares remained in the Heslington area until the 21st with 120 moving northeast and 125 west at Naburn Sewage Works on the 26th while a female Blackcap was in a Fulford garden on the 13th, and presumed migrant Chiffchaffs began to appear from the 18th while an early Willow Warbler was watched in a garden at Pocklington on the 24th. Allerthorpe Common held both Marsh and Willow Tit on the 3rd with three of the latter noted at Wheldrake Ings on the 14th while Nuthatches betrayed there presence at both Bishopthorpe Palace and Newburgh Priory. Another highlight of the month for many was a highly mobile Great Grey Shrike which initially appeared at North Duffield Carrs on morning of the 18th and then moved to Skipwith Common before commuting between the two sites and finally settled down in a favoured area of the common where it lingered into April. At least 50 Tree Sparrows were at Hassacarr Nature Reserve, Dunnington on the 16th while records of Brambling included 30 at Primrose Hill Farm, Heslington on the 3rd and up to six frequenting a garden in Holgate, York from the 17th. Siskins were also reported from gardens in and around York and 100+ were present at Allerthorpe Common on the 17th with this site also holding at least 30 Mealy Redpolls while small numbers of this species also visited gardens in the York area. A single Crossbill flew over York University on the 3rd and 20+ Yellowhammers were at Hassacarr NR on the 16th along with 49 Corn Buntings which had previously been seen at nearby Dunnington Common with c. 20 at Allerthorpe Common on the 3rd.

February 2011
February was generally unsettled with near-normal temperatures but at least the birds did not disappoint! An ‘unofficial’ WeBS count of the Lower Derwent Valley on the 7th produced the following wildfowl totals: 103 Mute Swans, 115 Whooper Swans (all at North Duffield Carrs), 1,244 Greylag Geese, 31 White-fronted Geese, 795 Canada Geese, 59 Barnacle Geese (probably feral birds from York University?), 103 Shelduck, 12,691 Wigeon, 125 Gadwall, 4,988 Teal, 2,499 Mallard, 326 Pintail, 199 Shoveler, 173 Pochard, 256 Tufted Duck and 20 Goldeneye. Other noteworthy records of wildfowl included nine Whooper Swans in the Redhouse area on the 22nd and a small passage of Pink-footed Geese with 45 northwest over York and 82 west at Thornton on the 10th, 56 north at Wharfe Ings on the 11th and c. 150 over Wheldrake on the 15th. Also, two White-fronted Geese were at Wheldrake Ings on the 5th with two Egyptian Geese there up to at least the 12th, a female Scaup at Castle Howard Lake on the 11th and 27 Goosander at Wharfe Ings on the 11th with 20+ at Redhouse Reservoir on the 22nd and smaller numbers at several other sites. A pair of Great Crested Grebes had returned to York University Lake by the 8th while 14 Little Grebes were counted in the Lower Derwent Valley on the 7th. Moving on to raptors, at least ten Red Kites were at Millington Pastures on the 6th with a single bird at Malton on the 28th, a cream-crown Marsh Harrier at North Duffield Carrs on the 7th, a female Goshawk at Millington Pastures on the 24th with a male at Walmgate Stray, York the same day, a female Merlin at Allerthorpe on the 5th with another bird reported at Hollicarrs on the 21st and up to three Peregrines in the Lower Derwent Valley. Six Water Rails were counted in the Lower Derwent Valley on the 7th along with 166 Coot while 268 of the latter at Wheldrake Ings on the 15th was a notable record, or perhaps the observer had nothing better to do! Wader counts in the Lower Derwent Valley on the 7th included four Oystercatchers, 4,826 Lapwings, 283 Dunlin, 61 Ruff (all at Thorganby Ings), 197 Common Snipe, 45 Curlew, 79 Redshank and two Green Sandpipers. Other records included five Oystercatchers at Heslington East on the 25th, 800 Golden Plovers at Thorganby Ings on the 15th with a peak of 1,500 Lapwings at the same site on the 12th and 15th, a single Woodcock at Allerthorpe Common on the 5th with four flying over Wheldrake at dusk on the 12th, three Black-tailed Godwits at Thorganby Ings on the 10th with 20 at Wheldrake Ings on the 25th and two Green Sandpipers on floods at Middlethorpe Ings between the 20th and 27th. A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was at Wheldrake Ings on the 19th with 600+ Black-headed Gulls counted along the River Ouse between York and Naburn on the 20th when 50 Herring Gulls passed over and again on the 27th. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at Wheldrake Ings on the 2nd with two there on the 5th while a possible adult Caspian Gull was reported from this site on the 2nd with a second-winter at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor (just outside the recording area) on the 28th. Single Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted at three sites from the 5th while at least three different Iceland Gulls were recorded at Wheldrake Ings between the 5th and 22nd. A Little Owl was at Heslington Common on the 25th with a Short-eared Owl reported from Flaxton Road near West Lilling on the 17th. Waxwings were again well reported with a flock of at least 50 ranging round York while winter thrushes were represented by at least 50 Fieldfares in the Heslington area and 40 or more Redwings at a couple of sites on the outskirts of York. Wintering warblers noted were two male Blackcaps in an Acomb garden on the 5th and a single Chiffchaff at Clifton Moor on the 7th. Also, a Firecrest was belatedly reported as having being trapped and ringed in a garden at Stockton-on-the-Forest mid-month, but no details were forthcoming. Pairs of Marsh Tits were reported from Askham Bog and Naburn Sewage Works while up to two Willow Tits were seen at three sites. Up to two Nuthatches were at Bishopthorpe Palace during the month with an elusive Great Grey Shrike seen at North Duffield Carrs on the 20th and 21st. At least 500 Starlings were feeding in fields south of Heslington on the 25th while a female Brambling was seen in Danesmead Copse on the 27th. Other finches of note included 30+ Siskins at Middlethorpe Ings on the 20th while a rather mobile Arctic Redpoll discovered at Allerthorpe Common on the 22nd remained in the general area until the 28th but gave several would-be observers the runaround! This bird accompanied a flock of 70 or more Mealy Redpolls with smaller numbers of the latter seen in gardens in the suburbs of York as well as 50+ noted in Redhouse Wood along with Lesser Redpolls with 30+ of the latter noted at Allerthorpe Common on the 22nd. At least 60 Linnets roosted at Allerthorpe Common on the 1st with 15 Bullfinches counted along the River Ouse between York and Naburn on the 20th and 20+ Corn Buntings noted at Long Marston on the 24th.

January 2011
Conditions eased this month as temperatures gradually increased to near normal and things certainly livened up a bit, or was it just that more people were looking at the start of a new year? The Whooper Swan herd at North Duffield peaked at 80+ birds on the 8th with 40+ Mute Swans also present on the 3rd. Around 100 Pink-footed Geese were at Thorganby Ings on the 8th and other notable counts included 90+ passing over Redhouse Wood on the 18th, a skein of 200+ tracked flying north over Bank Island, Walmgate Stray and Clifton Ings on the 24th and a total of 450 north-northwest over Cornborough Hall near Sheriff Hutton on the 28th. An Egyptian Goose was photographed by the River Ouse at Acaster Malbis on the 14th while wildfowl counts in the Lower Derwent Valley on the 29th involved 75 Shelduck, 3169 Wigeon, 1331 Teal, 60 Pintail, eight Shoveler and 27 Tufted Duck. Dabbling ducks were also attracted to flooding elsewhere with up to 60 Wigeon, 40 Teal and a pair of Shoveler at Clifton Ings as well as up to 18 Teal at Fulford Ings. Ninety Pintail were counted at Wheldrake Ings on the 28th while 13 Tufted Ducks were on the River Foss in York on the 11th but only single figures of both Goldeneye and Goosander were reported. An unusual record involved a drake Red-breasted Merganser flying upriver with two of the latter at Fulford Ings on the 10th. A pair of Grey Partridges was noted at Sheriff Hutton on the 28th and the only record of Great Crested Grebe concerned a single bird flying north over Fulford Ings on the 17th with a Little Grebe present on the floods there. In fact, up to two Little Grebes were seen along the Ouse at this site as well as Clifton Ings during the month. Twenty Cormorants were at Cawood on the 1st with up to six frequenting Clifton Ings throughout the month while interesting raptor records included an adult male Goshawk at Fulford Ings on the 15th, male Merlin at Pool Bridge Farm near Crockey Hill on the 24th and a juvenile female Peregrine in the Lower Derwent Valley towards the end of the month. Waders were generally in short supply as the cold conditions continued with 67 Golden Plovers counted near Sheriff Hutton on the 28th and 17 in the Lower Derwent Valley the following day along with 516 Lapwings when seven were at Naburn Sewage Works while at least 45 were at Clifton Ings on the 12th and 13th and two at Heslington Tillmire on the 24th. Birds at Bubwith Ings on the 3rd consisted of 30 Dunlin, ten Ruff and 30 Redshank while counts made in the Lower Derwent Valley as a whole on the 29th were 152 Dunlin, 32 Ruff and 25 Curlew. Over 250 Herring Gulls flew west over the Ouse between York and Naburn on the 3rd but an adult Caspian Gull reported from the roost at Wheldrake Ings on the 30th and 31st was more significant with a juvenile Glaucous Gull seen there on the 29th. There were a couple of records each for Barn and Tawny Owl while a Green Woodpecker was seen at Fulford Ings on the 15th when 12 Pied Wagtails were on floods at Middlethorpe Ings. Up to c. 90 Waxwings attracted to a berry-laden tree on Broadway in Fulford early in the month proved highly popular, but with such numbers their food supply soon ran out and the flock dispersed with birds seen in several other areas in and around York thereafter. A noticeable movement of 300+ Fieldfares was witnessed along the Ouse between York and Naburn on the 3rd with sizeable flocks including 200 at Askham Bryan on the 17th and 300+ at Campus East on the 26th along with 200+ Redwings. An optimistic Song Thrush was singing in Osbaldwick on the 18th while records of wintering Blackcaps making the most of garden feeders involved two birds at Upper Poppleton on the 1st, a male at Acomb the same day and a female at Pocklington on the 20th. Two Marsh Tits were seen in Askham Bog on the 13th with three at Redhouse Wood on the 18th while a single Willow Tit was at Heslington Tillmire on the 24th and Nuthatch heard at Bishopthorpe Palace on two dates. Around 25 Tree Sparrows were at Heslington Tillmire on the 12th along with 30+ Chaffinches, 30+ Bramblings, 30+ Greenfinches, c. 120 Linnets and c. 50 Yellowhammers. At least 50 Tree Sparrows were also recorded at Hassacarr NR while 40 Chaffinches were counted at Cawood on the 1st and one to two Bramblings were noted at several sites other than Heslington Tillmire with up to ten birds attracted to a garden in Pocklington. Around 20 Siskins were at Naburn Bridge on the 3rd with 35 moving through a Fulford garden on the 6th and 40+ in Askham Bog on the 23rd. A flock of 150 Lesser Redpolls at Redhouse Wood held at least 15 Mealy Redpolls during the month with at least two of this species identified amongst 60+ of its commoner cousin at Wheldrake Wood on the 25th and a single at Fulford Golf Course on the 24th. Sixty Linnets were at Cawood on the 1st with at least 15 Bullfinches present along the Ouse between York and Naburn during the month but no Crossbills were reported. The largest flock of Yellowhammers was 100+ at Grimston on the 26th with other notable counts being 35 at Dunnington Common and 20 at Hassacarr NR, both on the 22nd. Up to 42 Reed Buntings were feeding in Rawcliffe Cornfield NR early in the month while a garden in Pocklington attracted a total of ten birds on the 20th. Lastly, seven Corn Buntings were at Poppleton on the 1st with 50+ at Dunnington Common on the 22nd and up to six at Clifton Ings throughout the month.

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